 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Casting a musical spell
|
This review first appeared in the October 9, 1992 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).
This album by renowned magician Jay Scott Berry is new age of the astral variety; chock full of grand, sweeping themes punctuated by futuristic sound effects and given exotic-sounding names like "Avalon," "White Cliffs" and "Edgewood."
And yet, even given all that, "Concept for a Dream" by Jay Scott Berry is a pretty good album.
Berry overcomes his predilection for schmaltz largely through sheer talent. He has a good ear for composition, and if he tends to overarrange his tunes, he still can't hide good songwriting. His tunes are peaceful and introspective, and repetitive, like a mantra.
Still, one's final reaction to "Concept for a Dream" might be regret at how good it could have been. Berry takes too long to work out his ideas, with more repetition than extrapolation.